While no one would deny that HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES have initially been driven by show business demand as opposed to desire to deliver fresh music, nobody would either deny that this bunch of rock veterans know how to have fun and share merriment with fans – even though Johnny Depp is a shitty musician, never able to compete with him teammates Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen. Of course, their second album, “Rise” from 2019, contained new pieces, the concert trek which followed the collective’s self-titled debut, out in 2015, proved to be quite successful despite the band’s covers-infested setlist. Their third-ever gig found the quartet play the “Rock in Rio” festival on September 24th, 2015 – and a recording from this performance will finally see the light of day on June 2nd, 2023.
There’s no surprise in the issuing of this historic outing from of an 8-year vintage now: the CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray and 2LP packages simply titled “Live In Rio” are planned for release to coincide with the ensemble’s summer tour of Europe. Still, the classic songs should sound very enjoyable, especially when the stellar line-up is expanded with the addition of famous guests Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Bruce Witkin, and when they’re joined by Zak Starkey, Lzzy Hale and Andreas Kisser. The concert, attended by more than 100,000 punters, was webcast in real time by AOL, but having it in pristine quality in one’s collection must feel good. That’s what was played on the night:
Live In Rio
1. Intro/the Last Vampire
2. Raise The Dead
3. My Generation
4. I Got A Line On You
5. Cold Turkey
6. Five To One / Break On Through (To The Other Side)
7. Manic Depression
8. 7 And 7 Is
9. Whole Lotta Love
10. Jeepster
11. I’m A Boy
12. School’s Out
13. Billion Dollar Babies
14. The Train Kept A-Rollin’
15. Brown Sugar
